ACPN Demands Urgent Overhaul Of Pharmacy Practice, Raises Alarm Over Brain Drain And Drug Abuse

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

 The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called for an urgent overhaul of pharmacy practice in Nigeria, warning that brain drain, weak regulation, medicine insecurity and rising drug abuse are threatening public health.

The call was made at the ACPN 45th Annual National Scientific Conference held from July 27 to August 1, 2026 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The conference, themed “UNITY 2026: From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact – Managing Complex Healthcare Systems,” drew senior government officials, regulators and industry leaders.

ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, said the event marked a defining moment for collaboration between pharmacists and government.

He urged policymakers to recognize pharmacists as strategic partners in healthcare delivery.

Key attendees included Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; SGF Senator George Akume; Niger Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago; and PSN President Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim.

Akume commended ACPN’s role in medicine quality, while Ibrahim noted community pharmacists remain the most accessible healthcare providers for millions of Nigerians.

PCN Registrar, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the council was strengthening regulation, including online pharmacy oversight, and facilitated training on CPR, ethics and substance abuse prevention during the conference.

Delivering the keynote, Pharm. Wale Oyenuga proposed a five-pillar agenda: unified national vision, strict quality standards, digital data systems, integration of community pharmacists into primary healthcare, and inclusion in health insurance financing.

He said community pharmacists are largely excluded from national policy despite their accessibility.

NAFDAC, represented by Dr Ramatu Momodu, said the agency now oversees the entire medicine lifecycle.

She urged pharmacists to use digital tools like NAFDAC Greenbook, Med Safety App and Scan2Verify and to serve as guardians of the medicine supply chain.

NHIA DG, Dr Kelechi Ohiri and NPHCDA also backed integrating community pharmacists into health financing and universal health coverage.

The conference flagged brain drain as a critical threat.

Igwekamma disclosed that about 9,000 pharmacists emigrated between 2021 and December 2025, and over 850 obtained letters of good standing in the first half of 2026 to relocate to Canada, UK, Australia and the US.

He linked the exodus to poor pay and disorganized drug distribution.

To reverse the trend, ACPN urged government to: amend the Fake Drug Act to 20 years jail for first offenders and life with asset forfeiture for repeat offenders; establish a Drug Management Agency for the Drug Revolving Fund; and create a National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy for local specialist training.

On substance abuse, Igwekamma cited UNODC data showing over 21.2 million Nigerians abuse drugs.

He blamed unemployment, poverty, weak enforcement and social media, and called for tougher penalties, higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol, modern rehab centres and stronger capacity for NDLEA, PCN and NAFDAC.